Solo Travel In Iceland In Winter: The Ultimate Guide
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I couldn’t believe it. Thousands of people visit Iceland each year to see the Northern Lights, many to no avail; yet I’d just flown right through them on my flight from NYC. That flight — a cheap $300 round-trip direct red eye fare — was the reason I was going to Iceland.
And seeing the Northern Lights before even stepping foot in the country; well, let’s just say I got more than I paid for.
Another gift was given to me before entering the country, in the form of a quick customs line with no forms needed.
The airport was gorgeous, too. Immaculately clean with lots of food and drink options—even at 5:30am! Despite the early hour I felt high on images of hiking trails, waterfalls, glaciers and the other natural attractions I’d see during my time exploring “The Land of Fire & Ice.”
I grabbed a coffee in anticipation of my red eye crash, trying to give myself energy for the drive I’d planned to hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs. In typical “beyond the guidebook” fashion, my goal was to visit a number of hot springs that were not the Blue Lagoon.
My visions were quickly halted as I stepped outside to get my rental car — and a fierce gust of wind mixed with rain sent me and my coffee spiraling backward.
“Don’t be nervous about the weather,” smiled the rep. “It changes drastically from day to day. Tomorrow might be clear and sunny.”
I stood there shivering and stunned. Well, so much for a hike.
Visiting In Winter: Worth It?
Before getting to Iceland I was worried about traveling solo and driving the entire route of the Ring Road. In Iceland in winter, roads often close due to weather issues — not to mention high winds do turn cars over — so it felt like I might run into some issues. For this reason, I decided to rent a car for half my trip and book tours for the other half, basing the entire time in Reykjavik.
The city itself has a lot to offer. There’s so much that’s accessible, like driving the Golden Circle and snorkeling the crystalline fissure of Silfra.
But, is visiting in winter worth the reduced airfare?
Yes! Well, as long as you can go with the flow.
I was traveling solo through Iceland for a week. Days 1-3 were pretty harsh, and two of my tours were cancelled. Days 4-7 though were excellent, though “excellent” in winter does still mean heavy fogs and on-and-off rain and snow. As long as you bring some essential gear — like waterproof boots, warm layers, and moisture-wicking base layers — you’ll be fine.
You’ll also want to make sure you have a swimsuit for hot springs. As a solo traveler, I also always pack travel safety essentials like a She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm and a Speakeasy Travel Supply Pickpocket-Proof Scarf.
Funny enough, the one thing I packed that I did not use once was an umbrella. It tends to get very windy in Iceland, so it made more sense to wear waterproof gear than to use an umbrella that would just break within 10 minutes.
Is Iceland Safe For Solo Travel?
According to Travel Safe-Abroad, Iceland holds a safety index of 95 out of 100, placing it among the very safest countries in the world for travelers.
The site notes Iceland has topped the Global Peace Index’s safety rankings since 2008, and violent crime is so rare that a total of eight homicides in 2024 was considered a notable spike nationally.
For solo female travelers specifically, the news is just as reassuring: Travel Safe-Abroad rates the risk to women travelers as low, noting that harassment and crime against women are uncommon and that locals tend to be helpful if you need assistance.
That said, they still recommend normal precautions, especially if you’re hiking alone or heading into remote areas — advice I’d echo myself, especially in winter when trails can be quiet and isolated.
The real risks in Iceland aren’t about crime; they’re about nature. Winter weather, shifting road conditions, and geothermal activity are the things actually worth planning around, not muggings or theft.
A few safety tips worth knowing before you go:
- Save 112 in your phone. It’s Iceland’s all-purpose emergency number, covering police, fire, and medical, and response times are reliable even in rural areas.
- Download the SafeTravel app or check Umferdin.is before any drive. Both offer real-time alerts on storms, road closures, and hazardous conditions — something I leaned on constantly during my own winter road trips.
- Stay well back from the water at Reynisfjara Beach. It’s one of the most beautiful stops on the South Coast, but sneaker waves have swept visitors out to sea with no warning. Admire it from the marked viewing areas, not the shoreline.
Bottom line: as a solo female traveler, you’re statistically safer in Iceland than in almost anywhere else on earth. Just respect the weather and the landscape the way you’d respect any destination’s real risks, and you’ll be fine.
Stay: The Oddsson
While I stayed here when it operated as a hostel, the property has been updated into two separate hotel accommodations: ODDSSON Midtown and ODDSSON Downtown.
ODDSSON Midtown. This is a quieter, self-check-in hotel about 5 km from downtown, with free breakfast, on-site bar, and free parking. It’s perfect for those renting a car who don’t mind a short drive in.
ODDSSON Downtown. This central self-check-in aparthotel features kitchenettes and is a 4-minute walk from Laugavegur. It’s best for those exploring on foot who want to be steps from everything.
Renting A Car In Iceland
Renting a car is a great way to experience Iceland’s gorgeous landscapes at your own pace, and even in the rain and sleet once I got used to driving I felt way more comfortable than I expected on Iceland’s roads. Keep in mind I’m a New Yorker who doesn’t really drive, so if you drive regularly you’ll likely have an even easier time.
Check out Discover Cars to quickly compare your rental options.
Their comparison tool does the homework for you, so there’s no need to have up 10+ tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. Actually, you can save up to 70% using their tool!
Things To Do In Iceland Solo
So, what the heck is there to do in Iceland when the winter weather is unpredictable? Interestingly, tours still run daily, though if the roads are bad you may get a cancellation call that morning or the day after.
Even if it’s “nasty” out, unless there are road dangers the tours will go. Here are some recommended experiences based on my winter trip, depending on what you’re looking for:
1. For The Budget-Conscious: A Free Reykjavik Walking Tour
While CityWalk offers a number of awesome tours, the most popular is their classic free walking tour. The two-hour excursion focuses on history and culture, paired with advice on how to explore without going broke (#1: skip the bottled water!).
In terms of style it’s more like exploring with a local than the typical history tour. Bonus: you’ll be laughing nonstop as the tour is laced with humor. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end, as this is how they earn money!
Tip: As a solo traveler this tour was great for meeting other people!
2. For The Adventurous: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates
While the Silfra snorkeling excursion itself isn’t scary, per se, I felt terrified at the thought of going in 2-degree Celsius water in the middle of Iceland in winter. I mean, I was shivering with a coat on land, let alone underwater with rain and sleet coming down. Was I crazy?
Yes, but if you do one thing, make it this. I mean, where else will you be able to swim between divergent tectonic plates (of North America and Eurasia)?
Moreover, the drysuit keeps you dry and reasonably warm, and the glacial water is so crystalline it offers visibilities of over 100 meters.
The most beautiful section is known as The Cathedral, with sandstone creating underwater columns in a narrow passageway.
This leads you into a large lagoon that’s simply breathtaking.
3. For Those Wanting To Warm Up In An Ambient Restaurant: Savor An Icelandic Feast At Tapas Barinn
This tapas restaurant takes the idea that small plates must be Spanish and flips it on its head. The chef at Tapas Barinn offers globally-inspired dishes, with a healthy dose of Icelandic influence. Think marinated Icelandic lamb in a licorice tub served on a rock, and panfried line caught blue ling with rich lobster sauce. All this was enjoyed after a culturally appropriate shot of traditional Brennivín Schnapps! It was delicious while traveling solo, though the romantic ambiance offers an uber romantic night out for couples, too.
Their feasts are about $67 USD, worth the price as you can try six different dishes, dessert and an aperitif. Needless to say I was full and happy after my meal.
4. For Those Wanting Something Completely Offbeat: Peruse The Penis Museum
Yes, you read that right.
Along with seeing Icelandic animals in the wild you can explore them through their penises at the Icelandic Phallological Museum. In fact, there are over 200 penises representing every single mammal in Iceland, including humans, and some foreign wildlife. Also check out their phallic art for some added culture before you go.
5. For Those Wanting To Stay Inside: Meet The Natives With The Tin Can Factory
I always try to explore the local culture wherever I go. I’ve partaken in a number of experiences to learn more about the heritage of the places I visit, though the Tin Can Factory is possibly the most special I’ve ever experienced.
It’s a language and cultural school run by wife and husband team Gígja Svavarsdóttir and Egill Gunnarsson, situated in an actual former tin can factory. Their Meet The Natives offering is a three-hour class where you’ll learn about Icelandic folklore (yes, including elves and trolls), language (I now know why Icelandic words are so long) and food (I even ate a sheep’s eyeball).
While it is a class — you’ll get a diploma with your Icelandic name at the end — it felt more like hanging out with locals drinking beer, snacking on Icelandic lamb soup and pancakes, and playing games to learn how Icelanders create new words.
6. For The Hungry: A Tasty Walking Tour
One truly special experience was an afternoon spent with Reykjavik Food Walk. My tour was led by an energetic Icelander named Gabriela who told us all about customs in Iceland, interesting cultural stories (like that locals once rioted against Parliament by throwing yogurt-like skyr at the building) and how food relates to history. Some eats included rye bread ice cream, traditional Icelandic lamb soup and a selection of local cheeses and meats (including horse if you want to try). The tour features six delicious stops, as well as a few surprise snacks thrown in.
7. For The Partier: An Adult Pub Crawl
Traveling solo, it can be awkward to head out for a night on the town on your own. As I wanted to check out Reykjavik nightlife, I was happy to learn Reykjavik Food Walk had a sister company, Wake Up Reykjavik, that offered pub crawls. The word “pub crawl” made me nervous that it might be young college kids who couldn’t handle their liquor, but actually everyone was 30+. I made a bunch of new friends as we sipped cocktails at a swanky lounge, local beer accompanied by fermented shark and Black Death shots at a pub, and Cocoa Puff-laced White Russians at a Lebowski-themed bar. The crawl ends at a dance club where you can cut the line, but not before indulging in some of Iceland’s famous Baejarins Beztu Pylsur hot dogs.
8. For The Photographer: A Classic Golden Circle Tour
While I’m usually not a bus tour kind of lady, traveling solo in winter made me nervous to self-drive this long route. So, I booked a Classic Golden Circle Tour with Grayline, and was really glad I did. My guide, Jaakko, made learning about Icelandic history and geology comical, as he had our entire bus in stitches. The tour included Þingvellir National Park to see the gorgeous landscapes where Iceland’s first parliament was formed and walk through Almannagjá fault, the 31-meter-high double Gullfoss Waterfall and the very active Geysir Hot Spring Area.
We had ample time in each spot to explore — which meant at Geysir I also discovered a tourist-free trail to get some aerial photographs of the area.
Yes, each stop is full of tourists, but the sites offer must-see views of Iceland’s natural landscapes. By the way, if you’re wondering just how beautiful, one couple on my tour got engaged at Gullfoss, nicknamed the “Golden Waterfall.”
9. For The Folklore Enthusiast: The South Coast Tour
For the same reasons I didn’t drive on the Golden Circle Tour, I opted for a South Coast bus tour with GeoIceland. My guide Siggy was terrific, and at each beautiful stop related interesting historic and folkloric backstories. In Iceland, almost every natural attraction seems to have a story to pair, whether factual, possible or just plain fiction. Along with the lovely Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach and Solheimajokull Glacier (which you can choose to hike on), we also visited an elf dwelling. Called Drangurinn, the giant rock sits atop a complex of caves and is full of interesting elf folklore. In fact, it’s said a man disappeared into the rock to live with the elves, potentially even marrying one.
By the way, if you’re in Iceland on Christmas Eve you’ll want to hope you get a piece of clothing as a present. Otherwise, Christmas Cat might come eat you!
10. For Those Wanting To Go Beyond The Guidebook: Hike To Reykjadalur Hot Springs
While researching an alternative to the Blue Lagoon that would better suit a solo traveler, I found Reykjadalur. Unlike the commercial and expensive Blue Lagoon, Reykjadalur is an outdoor hot springs area that’s free to enjoy — as long as you don’t mind hiking there.
It’s a gorgeous trek. Additionally, it’s perfect for solo travelers as it’s not crowded; but there are also enough people hiking that if there was an accident it’s possible to get help. Just note it’s steep going up. In fact, within 30 minutes I was sweating despite being around snow-capped peaks and icy slopes. You’ll also see the ground steaming almost the entire way, creating an otherworldly aesthetic.
11. For Those Wanting The Best View Of Reykjavik: Head To The Top Of Hallgrímskirkja
While I sadly didn’t have time to do this, I was given this tip by my local Reykjavik Food Walk guide. At the top of the waterfall-shaped Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church you can take in an aerial view of Reykjavik from 73 meters (244 feet). It’s free to enjoy, and there’s an elevator for those who don’t want to climb to the top. Afterward, head to the adjacent Cafe Loki for typical Icelandic dishes and a beautiful view of Hallgrímskirkja while you eat.
Have you visited Iceland in winter or solo?
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